Things to Do in Mahabaleshwar

Panchgani - which derives its name from the five hills that surround it and is adorned with some old British and Parsi homes makes it look like any little town from Europe and this cozy hilly town has a lot in store. Panchagni is the quintessential residential hill station with an old world charm. A place famous for its convent and boarding schools, the education standard of Panchgani is renowned in the entire country.

Panchgani derives its names from the five or 'panch' hills around it. At an altitude of 1334 m it is just 38 m below Mahabaleshwar. These 38 m translate themselves into a breathtaking 18 km approach offering heart-stopping views of the Krishna River on the one side and the coastal plains on the other.

Then you amble along the walkways thickly canopied by lush trees and vegetation and delight in the secrets you stumble upon. The Krishna snakes through tiny hamlets, farms and ravines hundreds of meters below. From Table Land, a flat mountain top, you look down in wonder at the coastal plains.

The next day you're astride your faithful horse as it canters along uncharted routes through hidden lovers' lanes to Kamalgad Fort. The Parsi point is also a place noteworthy.

Hours can be spent at the bazaar; Panchgani is one of those rare places that doesn't crowd anyone yet in its own unhurried way deeply touches every visitor.

The Mahabali or Mahabaleshwar Temple is another example of the Maratha heritage of Mahabaleshwar. Built by the Chanda Rao More dynasty in the 16th century, the temple is built in the South Indian Hemadanta style of architecture. Mahabaleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the important pilgrimage sites for the Hindus. The temple is situated in the Old Kshetra Mahabaleshwar, which is about 6 km north of the main city.

The temple is enclosed by a 5 feet wall and is divided into two areas, the inner and outer rooms. The inner room or the sanctum sanctorum has Shiva as its presiding deity, with a black stone lingam known as Swayambhu, which is the 500 years old self-originated lingam and is enshrined within the sanctum sanctorum. This self-originated lingam is in the shape of Rudraksha and is called Mahalingam, which is considered to be superior to the twelve Jyothir Lingams (stone incarnation of Lord Shiva) as its central figure. You'll find several carvings of Shiva's vehicle, the sacred bull and Kalbairav, his bodyguard. The temple also houses Shiva's bed, damru and trishul, dating back 300 years. Legend has it that the bed used to be crumpled in the morning, indicating Shiva's presence during the night at the temple. An important temple on any Shiv-bhakt's pilgrimage plan, this temple has a serene, tranquil ambience that will transport you to higher realms of spirituality. The main draw is the ancient Mahabaleshwar Temple with its 6-foot-tall linga, of which only the tip can be seen.

According to the legend, the Maratha ruler, King Shivaji weighed his mother Jijabai in gold at this platform and then gave away the gold in charity.

Constructed at the confluence of five rivers, Krishna, Venna, Savitri, Koyna and Gayatri, this temple is a site of major religious importance and is thronged by devotees all through the year. The temple has a beautifully carved gaumukhi, out of which the waters of the five rivers flow. The temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and has a lovely idol of him. The legend behind the temple is closely linked to Savitri's curse on the Trimurtis, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, who flow here as Koyna, Krishna and Venna rivers.

It was constructed by Raja Singha Deo, the ruler of the Yadavs of Devgiri, in the 13th Century. In the 16th and 17th Centuries, Raja Chanda Rao More of Jaoli and the Maratha ruler Shivaji improved upon its structure on a large scale, to whom the temple owes much of its present grandeur.

When your religious pursuits are accomplished, let loose the shopper in you and pick up colorful handicrafts as souvenirs from the shops around the temple.

Named after the lovely daughter Kate of Sir James Malcolm, an authority of the British raj, this point is also known as Echo point. The geographic location and structure of the hills results into a total reflection of sound resulting into an extremely clear echo.

Get to the cliff of this 1290 heighted hilltop and speak your heart out. The reverberations are incredible and you will then know why the daughter Kate loved spending her day at this point.

The point also offers spectacular view of the Krishna valley and the Dhom dam. The peaks of Kamalgarh and Pavangarh are also visible from this point.

Sunsets often bring the most poetic and romantic thoughts to one's mind, making them the most beloved time of the day. If you're in the mood for a beautiful and serene sunset, Bombay Point is the answer to your dreams. Make your way to Bombay Point, or rightly also known as the Sunset point, and watch the sun slowly and gradually disappearing below the horizon for the day.

The place is named thus since it is located on the old Mumbai road. Keeping in tune with the romantic aura, there is also an aptly named Lover's Point close by. The entire area is ideal for a daytime picnic. Watch the sun cast different hues across the sky while you ponder about life, the universe and everything else.

If the rising sun makes your heart skip a bit and you want to treat yourself to stunning views of the same, Wilson Point is the place to be. Named after Sir Leslie Wilson, the Governor of Bombay under the British rule between 1923 and 1926, this is the highest point in Mahabaleshwar at 1439 m.

The vast and scenic plateau has three masonry platforms built for your convenience and is the only place that offers stunning views of both sunrise and sunset. With the advantage of height, it also offers surreal views of the Mahabaleshwar city below, transporting you to a world of peace and calm.

A point with unmatched peace and quiet and surreal natural beauty is what Elphinstone’s point is all about. With the lush greenery and mind blowing nature to marvel at, the rock formations here are set in a way that appears to be like an elephant’s trunk.

The place gets its name from the times of the British Raj, after the Governor of Bombay, Sir Mount Elphinstone. It is believed to have been founded by Dr. Murray in 1930 and has an old mansion in its vicinity. The mansion now lies in ruins and local authorities are planning to demolish to erect a picnic shed in its place for tourists. The Elphinstone Point offers a panoramic view of the Pratapgarh Fort, with the Koyna Valley to one side and the Savitri Valley to the other.

Enjoy spectacular views of the Sayhadri range from here, sandy patches perfectly offsetting the lush greenery that surrounds Mahabaleshwar. Soak in the sun, carry a picnic and make the most of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets here.

The most picturesque water body in Mahabaleshwar hustling-bustling with visitors of all ages is what Venna lake is all about. The Venna Lake is possibly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mahabaleshwar and the serene surroundings speak for it.

Surrounded by tall trees and greenery on all sides, the lake is almost always thronged by visitors and holidaymakers. It was built in 1842 by Shri Appasaheb Maharaj, the ruler of Satara in the 19th century and the old tower that stands in the centre marks its history.

Giant wheels and other sports are available for kids. The huge public park is also a good recreational spot if you tired of all the travelling.

If you want to enjoy the stunning views of the majestic Sahyadri hills and the alluring valley, Lodwick Point (Sidney point) promises you exactly that and more. Formerly known as Sidney Point, it offers unmatched views of the Pratapgarh Fort and Elphinstone Point at a distance. A winding trail leads to this beautiful spot, which is marked by a singular precipice between two deep gorges. A grand statue of Lord Lodwick adorns this place and is usually the crowd-puller here.

Being the queen of all points in Mahabaleshwar, Arthur's Seat has the most fascinating aspect of unique the rock formations and setting around here. The gravitational force of the earth at this point is minimum and lighter objects thrown into the valley are said to fly up due to this reverse force.

Located at an elevation of 1,470 meters, Arthur's Seat provides an excellent view of the valleys and surrounding hills. As Arthur Mallet was the first person to have come here and built a house, this place is named after him. Arthur Mallet, a British official and poet is said to have sat here after losing his wife and children to a ferry accident on River Savitri. The deep Savitri Valley on the left side and the green expanse to the right offer a captivating sight. Arthur's Seat is the only viewpoint from where one can distinguish the geographical differentiation of the Konkan Region and the Deccan Plateau. Window Point is located just below the Arthur's Seat.

A mark of pride for the Maratha empire, Pratapgarh still stands on the face of time and continues to be one of the most visited forts of Maharashtra.

A fort of the great Maratha conqueror and warrior King Shivaji, Pratapgarh was built in his reign to protect the empire from the attack on the western side and guard the banks of rivers Krishna and Nira.

Constructed in the early 17th century, the fort is divided into upper and lower fort. The Mahadev temple, the Bhavani temple, the Afzal tower and the dargah are places to visit inside the fort.

The breathtaking natural beauty and the remembrances of the historic battle of Pratapgarh make this place a favorite pick for the tourists.

Tapola is a satellite village of Mahabaleshwar about 25 Kms down the valley. A rustic hamlet famed as the 'Mini Kashmir' Tapola is an ideal destination for a back to nature experience.

The primary attraction in Tapola is the Shivsagar Lake - 90 km long water body in fact the reservoir of the Koyna dam. Vasota fort is also a secluded place for hiking and trekking. Tapola is the base camp for one of the most exhilarating treks that one can go for in Maharashtra.

If you are a water sports enthusiast Tapola is the place to head to. Be it boating, water scooter rides, kayaking or swimming Tapola will certainly not make you feel confined.

The captivating Dhobi Waterfall is located around 3 km away from the main Mahabaleshwar town, on the route connecting the Old Mahabaleshwar Road to Petit Road. The water descends into the valley and ultimately flows into the pristine Koyna River a tributary of the Krishna River. Set amidst lush green valley, the fall is a perfect picnic spot to spend a fun-filled day with family and friends. While on a vacation in Mahabaleshwar, do add this waterfall to your travel itinerary.

When the backdrop is a breathtaking waterfall and splendid lush greenery, you get inspired to click photos. Click endless pictures to recall the fun moments spent here with friends and family.

The captivating Chinaman’s fall lies towards the south of the Koyna Valley in Mahabaleshwar. A tour of this hill station is incomplete without visiting this cataract. The beautiful gardens in the vicinity were earlier managed by Chinese, owing to which the waterfall got its name Chinaman’s fall. Positioned at the top of the Venna Valley, it is bewitching to watch the water flowing from such an enormous height. The best time to visit the falls is during the monsoon season.

Chinaman’s Falls offers ample chances to take some amazing snaps. Click the gushing water at dawn and dusk when sunrays enhance its overall appeal.

Lying on the picturesque road from Mahabaleshwar to Panchgani is this waterfall which is calm and exhilarating at the same time. The stream here precipitates over the face of steep cliff, unbroken when the torrent is swollen by rain but ordinarily divided by projecting rocks about one third of the way down into thin silver streaks and sprays often circled by rainbows.

The untouched and raw greenery around the falls add up to the appeal of the place and make a point to visit Lingamala falls.